Indoor Travel Destinations in Gongju for December
34 Gwangwangdanji-gil, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
December Indoor Travel Destinations in Gongju
Located at 360, Woonjin-dong, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, I visited the National Gongju Museum after a long time.
As always, the entrance of the museum was greeted by a large stone vessel called Jinmyosu.
I've been to the Gongju Museum several times, but I usually went straight inside without exploring the garden.
However, today I felt like wandering around the garden.
As I did, I noticed things I had never seen before.
Shall we take a look at what is there?
▲ Museum Overview
▲ Stone Vessel of Gongju Daetongsa
The stone vessel, known as Seokjo, is a large water container made by carving stone. It is used in temples to store water or wash dishes after major events, often decorated with lotus flowers. These stone vessels, located in front of the auditorium of Daetongsa in Banjuk-dong, Gongju, are similar in style and carving techniques, differing only in size. Unlike the square stone vessels of Unified Silla, they possess the elegant form characteristic of Baekje culture, with a round body and a round base carved with lotus patterns. They are referred to as Banju-dong Seokjo and Jungdong Seokjo, named after their discovery locations.
Upon closer inspection, you can see the lotus shape on these enormous stone vessels.
When I turned around, I found stairs leading inside, but the vessels were too large and deep to see the inside.
▲ Resting Place of Enlightenment
▲ Jangmyeongwon
▲ Forest of Stone Beasts
▲ Various Sculptures
As I looked around, I saw various sculptures.
Starting from the Resting Place of Enlightenment, I captured photos of the various sculptures in the garden.
The Resting Place of Enlightenment features several stone Buddhas centered around the statue of Buddha from Seohyeolsa Temple in Gongju. Although they depict different Buddhas, they share the same intention of saving sentient beings and providing peace.
I hope this resting place becomes a source of new inspiration in life.
Jangmyeongwon houses nine Jangmyeongdeung lanterns that guide the souls of the deceased to the afterlife. Each lantern has its unique design, reflecting the belief that each person lives their own life before being led to another world. May the Jangmyeongdeung illuminate your path ahead.
In the Forest of Stone Beasts, animal statues are placed in front of ancient tombs to ward off negative energies. The forest includes monkeys, dogs, tigers, dragons, sheep, and Haetae, all symbolizing the wish to repel bad energies and invite good fortune. I wish you can receive good energy and create precious memories in this garden adorned with stone beasts.
There are several Buddha statues in the Resting Place of Enlightenment, including one without a neck. Is it part of the concept to display it without restoration? All exhibits in Jangmyeongwon were donated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung, which is quite remarkable. Five out of nine animal statues in the Forest of Stone Beasts were also donated by him. We are truly grateful for such generous contributions that allow the public to view these artifacts.
After exploring the garden, I entered the museum and headed to the planning exhibition hall, where the 'Hanseong475' exhibition was being held. This exhibition runs from September 2025 to February 2026, a relatively long period. Let's take a closer look at the exhibition.
In 521, King Muryeong declared that Baekje had become a strong nation again after defeating Goguryeo multiple times. This exhibition introduces the history of conflict between Baekje and Goguryeo, highlighting the challenge posed by King Gaero of Baekje against the seasoned strategist King Jangsu of Goguryeo.
The exhibition features various artifacts, including the Seven-branched Sword, showcasing the architectural and military advancements of Baekje.
After viewing the exhibition, I noticed a Go board on one wall, depicting the legendary match between King Gaero and King Jangsu. It was fascinating to see how their strategies in battle were likened to a game of Go.
In conclusion, the National Gongju Museum offers a rich cultural experience, making it an excellent indoor travel destination this December.
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